Assignment #4: "News Story" (first draft)

Are you getting the H1N1 vaccine? If your like me and a little concerned with getting a brand new vaccine injected into you, you should know that it is completely safe. Or so they say.

Should you get the vaccine? “Definitely,” Eleanor Hynes, the assistant town nurse says.

“I think it is important for mothers to have their kids get the shots and pregnant women as well.” It seems like those two groups need the vaccine the most. “Pregnant women and young kids are dying from this flu.” Nobody knows for sure why pregnant women are dying from the illness but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a theory that its because the baby is pressing on the mothers lungs. And also they think its because the baby and mother are sharing the same immune system.

“I feel very strongly that those target groups, people under 24 and pregnant women should definitely get the shot,” Hynes says.

They also have a theory as to why young children are targets for the swine flu. Its because kids have never been subjected to any types of the flu. They have no immunity to the virus and their immune systems are sharp so it over reacts to the virus.

Even though there are many people skeptical about getting the vaccine she says that the H1N1 shots are made the same way as the seasonal flu shot and insists that it wont hurt anyone. But if your planning on getting one you need to get on the list. Children and pregnant women get first dibs on the new vaccine. Elderly people may have to wait for their swine flu shots. There is only a limited amount of H1N1 vaccines available at this time. Last week a clinic was held at the Somerset High School so the teachers could get their shots since there around kids all day.